Preface

Like its predecessor, this study is an attempt to examine objectively
and concisely the dominant historical, social, economic, political, and
military aspects of contemporary Honduras. Sources of information
included scholarly books, journals, monographs, official reports of
governments and international organizations, and numerous periodicals.
To the extent possible, place-names follow the system adopted by the
United States Board on Geographic Names. Measurements are given in the
metric system.

Although there are numerous variations, Spanish surnames for men and
unmarried women usually consist of two parts: the patrilineal name
followed by the matrilineal. In the instance of Roberto Suazo Córdova,
for example, Suazo is his father's name; Córdova, his mother's maiden
name. In informal use, the matrilineal name is often dropped. When a
woman marries, she generally drops her matrilineal name and replaces it
with her husband's patrilineal name preceded by a "de." Thus,
when Cristina García Rodríguez married Antonio Pérez Cevallos, she
became Cristina García de Pérez. In informal use, a married woman's
patrilineal name is dropped (Cristina Pérez is the informal usage).
Some individuals use only the patrilineal name in formal as well as
informal use. The patrilineal for men and unmarried women and the
husband's patrilineal for married women are used for indexing and
bibliographic purposes.

The body of the text reflects information available as of December
1993. Certain other portions of the text, however, have been updated.
The Bibliography lists sources thought to be particularly helpful to the
reader.